Barcelona to sack Xavi as coach

Barcelona have concluded plans to sack manager Xavi Hernandez just weeks after he made a U-turn and decided to stay at the club, Spanish media reported on Friday.

Catalan radio station RAC-1 said President Joan Laporta had decided to sack Xavi, with daily newspaper Sport confirming the news, while AS said Barcelona were already deciding who would replace the coach.

In January, Xavi said he would leave at the end of the season but, after a run of strong form in April, he and Laporta agreed the coach would stay for the next campaign, with his contract expiring in June 2025.

However, Laporta did not travel with the team for their 2-0 in at Almeria in LaLiga on Thursday, with Spanish media reporting he was angry with Xavi’s pre-match comments.

The coach had highlighted Barcelona’s financial difficulties in comparison to the strength of new Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European giants.

“Barcelona fans have to understand, we’re not in the same situation (as those clubs),” Xavi said on Wednesday.

The coach stood by his words on Thursday when he was asked about Laporta not attending the Almeria match.

The former Barcelona midfielder said: “They haven’t told me anything personally. We travelled with the sporting vice-president, more directors, all normally.

‘The club needs change’: Xavi to leave Barcelona at end of season

“I said what I think is real, that we will fight for all the trophies, with a lot of hope, with ambition, but that the situation is not easy.

“We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation.”

Barcelona won LaLiga last season but were not able to defend the title. They went out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and will end the season trophyless.

Real Madrid thrashed Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final while Athletic Bilbao eliminated them in the Copa del Rey.

In April, 44-year-old Xavi said he was “full of hope”, adding that fans, players, and “above all the confidence of the president and (sporting director) Deco” convinced him to stay.

Laporta said at the time that he was glad Xavi would remain at the helm and that it was good for the stability of the club.

The president said: “It’s great news that Xavi is staying. The team we have, that is still consolidating, with very young players, needs that stability.

“Xavi is a reference for young players and we can see that – today I’m especially pleased, and the board have unanimously supported this decision.”

Laporta appointed Xavi, one of Barcelona’s greatest-ever midfielders, to replace Ronald Koeman in November 2021.

As a player, Xavi made 767 appearances for Barcelona, winning four Champions Leagues and eight LaLiga titles, as well as the World Cup with Spain.

During his time as Barcelona coach, he lifted the Spanish Super Cup last season, along with the league title.

The Star